It’s often cited that LACUNA COIL are the primary export when it comes to Italian alternative metal, but Christina Scabbia isn’t the only lady to front a band from this part of the world. Let me introduce you to BLACK DAHLIA. This gothic-metal 5-piece from the region of Foggia, east Italy, aren’t to be mistaken with the Michigan based melodic death metal band THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Instead they take influence from the likes of EVANESCENCE and WITHIN TEMPTATION to deliver they’re latest album; “Fragments”.Let’s see what we get when we put them together…The album starts with first single “Falling Down”which initially gets underway with some simplistic yet creepy piano keys and the soft vocal tones of front-woman Samuela Fuiani, before it gets a little darker and a little deeper. It’s generally a slow track but you can hear the Evanescence influence clearly; it’s got that tone to it. It’s a decent track but its lack of life makes for a seemingly dawdled start. “Eclipse” again starts off very sombre in tone but does have a very bold chorus and in all fairness you can feel the passion and emotion in the track.“Wounds” picks things up a little bit and you can hear more of the Within Temptation influence at the core of the song; it’s quite a dramatic track, relatively enjoyable but there’s a pattern forming, and that pattern is the tracks do seem to last forever, however it is an album highlight. “Lost In The Daylight” takes the listener more toward ballad territory, for the most part it’s a delicate piano driven piece of music although it does contain some very emotive guitar work from Ruggero Doronzo and ultimately it’s pleasant listening, before we finish up on “Goodnight”. It’s another ballad and while it does allow the listener to appreciate how beautiful Fuiani’s vocals are, it’s not a track you’ll find yourself in a hurry to listen to.All in all, Lacuna Coil haven’t got anything to worry about for now, Black Dahlia aren’t quite in the same league just yet, although credit to them they have written some genuinely beautiful music. If they inject a little more energy into a handful of tracks in the future then there’s a lot of potential there for them to make a name for themselves, but as of right now they appear to be treading water. As the advert suggests; “It’s good…but it’s not quite Carling”.[5]Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackdahliaofficialiTunes: Fragments - Blackdahlia

Love me a bit of the coil,
Great review as always El Manno.
Well worth a listen, as good as expected.

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Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x